Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:14 pm Post subject: Dwarfism in Labradors
Hi
I have been looking through the old posts regarding dwarfism - and as the few that I opened up appeared to have a few contentious replies (although now deleted) I didnt want to open up old posts.
Today I saw a Labrador that was in my opinion (certainly not an expert on this element of course) a labrador with dwarfism.
The owner seemed a little put out that I had asked what breed her dog was crossed with (as it was obviously labrador something!). She said it was full pedigree working lab. I said to her i wondered if it was dwarfism. Basically the dog had a normal sized body and very short legs - like a bassets (as described in other peoples posts in previous threads on dwarfism). The owner sees the breeder regulalry and she has not commented at all on the size of the dog. Apparnetly all the other puppies in the litter are of normal size.
I have noted the condition is linked with the retinal eye disease. I was wondering just how much of a health problem this is for a dog - Im guessing it DOES put additional pressure on the joints and therefore adding to skeletal probles at some point in life.
Would it be fair to consider it as a throwback?
Would I be right in thinking the majority of the litter would be ok and it in theory would be perhaps one pup in a litter??
Just curious!
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Where we live there is an 18month old full pedigree Black lab - working build with really short legs in fact my 6 month old girl is already taller than she is.
She is happy enough in her self though I do feel sorry for her as she doesn't seem to be as flexible as other Labs of her age. So you may be right with your thinking about joint issues.
So far there hasn't been any diagnosis of any medical problems.
What is "cute" about a dog with a genetic condition that is likely to have eye problems and possible skeletal issues??
Firstly I said I had not heard of it before, so don't know about the issues with it, hence I didn't comment on that bit. I just imagine it's a cute looking dog! It doesn't mean I want one or intend to breed them. Some dogs are genetically born blind or with all manner of problems but they still look cute. It was only a comment!
It never occurred to me that they could have dwarfism
But I do know someone "lost her Lab now old age" she always described her Lab as looking like a lab who has been chopped off at the knees everything about her was normal apart from the leg length could this have been the cause
she was healthy in all ways and lived a happy life upto the age of 14yrs
Thats a coincidence, I was having a chat with a dog walker friend today about Bruno's short legs and big body.
I did'nt see the previous thread, and have'nt seen anything about dwarfism, are the legs very short, I have posted a pic of our boy would you think he fits the description.
Fiz, he doesn't look massively out of proportion. Our old game keepers dog was a short legged lab - I presume short legged, not dwarf but I don't know. She must have had legs half to 3/4 the size of your boys compared to body size.
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What is "cute" about a dog with a genetic condition that is likely to have eye problems and possible skeletal issues??
old age" she always described her Lab as looking like a lab who has been chopped off at the knees 
everything about her was normal apart from the leg length 
could this have been the cause 
